Any size garden can attract pollinators by carefully selecting flowering 
plants that provide a succession of blooms throughout the growing season but, before you buy plants, research which pollinators are native to your region, and then choose a selection of plants to support a variety of pollinators.
Some examples of host plants for butterflies:
- American Lady Butterfly: Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) also provides nectar for Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and a variety of other butterflies.
- Anise Swallowtails: Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Dill, Parsley, Carrot tops
- Chalcedon Checkerspot Butterfly: Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), Pacific Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Ocean Spray (Holodiscus) and Wild Lilac (Ceanothus) -all these plants are used by birds & wildlife, too.
- Common Checkered-Skipper: Hollyhocks and Mallows: Malvas, Hibiscus, Lavatera trimestris
- Gray Hairstreak: Lupines (Lupinus)
- Monarch (Danaus plexippus): Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa), Heart-leaf Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens)
- Painted Lady Butterfly: Globe Thistle, Hollyhock, Sunflower
- West Coast Lady: High Mallow ( Malva sylvestris) and Marshmallow (Althaea officinali)
- Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly: Willow trees (Salix scouleriana) Also used by Mourning Cloak & Lorquin’s Admiral butterflies.
Resources: Southwestern-Oregon-butterfly-garden-guide.pdf
Oregon.gov/ODF/CreatingAButterflyGarden.pdf
Submitted by: Carlotta Lucas